Background information:
This warehouse has its full-scale example in the Dutch town of Kampen. A logical location for a warehouse given the city's rich trading history, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The Voorstraat, where the warehouse actually stands, was for a long time the first street parallel to the river IJssel. A few city walls, defenses and sand walls could still be found between the two, but the jetties could nevertheless be reached quickly from this street. A lot changed around 1900. Buildings were added between the Voorstraat and the current IJsselkade. Merchandise changed with the arrival of new industries in the city, and significant investments were made in roads and railways, which had an impact on the trade routes. The question is whether the warehouse has been able to withstand all those major changes. It is still there, but perhaps mainly thanks to its municipal monument status.
Architectural details
The building was built in 1884. The facade has a typical layout as can be expected from warehouses. A narrow facade with 3 facade openings per floor. The middle one is a door on each floor with a hoisting beam still present at the top. There is a window to the left and right of it. The facade is made of Waal format bricks in cross bond. A brick bond that bears a lot of resemblance to the also common standing bond. In 2022, the building seems to beg for better times. It now has a residential and shopping function according to the zoning plan, because in reality it shows traces of long-term vacancy and poor maintenance. The challenge will be to give new life to the original warehouse while preserving the authentic details with a function for which the building was never built at the time.
